Margaret Walschots stands with some of her work that is on exhibit at the Gibson Gallery. Walschots’ “Scenes of Amherstburg” runs at the gallery through March 27 with a pysanky painting workshop March 12.

By Ron Giofu

A local artist and her depictions of Amherstburg are featured at the Gibson Gallery this month.

Margaret Walschots’ exhibit “Scenes of Amherstburg” had its opening reception last Sunday afternoon at the gallery with the exhibit running through March 27. Walschots said she did her last exhibit five years ago and since then, she has been compiling work she has done around town.

“From that point, I started with my photography,” she said. “I have my camera every day.”

Much of her work is nature themed, with some of it being photographs. Other pieces in her exhibit are paintings of birds, flowers or other outdoor scenes.

“I work from my own photographs,” she explained, noting she paints from them even when she travels. “I paint every day.”

Walschots also has a portion of her exhibit devoted to her pysankys, decorated eggs done in a traditional Ukrainian fashion. She even has emu eggs painted to resemble dragon eggs that might be seen in “Game of Thrones.”

A pair of pysanky emu eggs decorated like dragon eggs from “Game of Thrones” are also part of Margaret Walschots’ exhibit.

Noting she remembers where she photographed or painted all of the local scenes, Walschots said she is always looking for something that is a little bit different.

“I just think our area is so beautiful and that everyone should see it as well,” she added. “I try to capture things that are happening in Amherstburg.”

There will be a pysanky painting class this Saturday from 12:30-4 p.m. at the Gibson Gallery. Walschots will be teaching the class and said it is $35 for members and $50 for non-members.

“Scenes of Amherstburg” is one of ten exhibits that will be at the Gibson Gallery in 2016. The gallery’s main attraction will be the 50th annual Art by the River, planned for Aug. 27-28 at Fort Malden.

For more information on the Gibson Gallery, contact them at 519-736-2826 or visit www.gibsonartgallery.com. The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. and the current hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.